Ethanol Phase separation

[Bluestream]

I ran into some nasty E10 phase separation today. I bought a used Sea-Doo and I drained to the tank to be sure it was clean. The last Gallon or so of gas was a nasty mix of clarty globs of water/gas that looked ugly. I took dome coffee filters and put them in a funnel and poured the [censored] through and it took a while, but the water went right through, but I got some small dirt in the filters.

Anyway, what do I do with this stuff? Its clean looking, but has water in it. If I pour it in my truck and top up with more E10, with the alcohol absorbs the water and get burned up?

 

[ABerns]

I would just throw it out at a place that accepts gasoline, or run it in a lawn mower that I didn't care about. Even then I'd be a little nervous. Not worth the risk, IMHO.

 

[mechtech2]

How does it smell? can you tell what gas smells like when it is sour?
If you pour it all into a container, the water will settle to the bottom. Leave it sit a long while and do not agitate it. You can siphon off the top part - the gasoline, and mix it a bit at a time with regular gas in your street vehicle. Repeat - a bit at a time!
Don't get greedy and go down to the bottom! Only use the top 75% or less.

 

[Mitch Alsup]

Quoting Monte Phython: "Burn her"

 

[Bluestream]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
How does it smell? can you tell what gas smells like when it is sour?
If you pour it all into a container, the water will settle to the bottom. Leave it sit a long while and do not agitate it. You can siphon off the top part - the gasoline, and mix it a bit at a time with regular gas in your street vehicle. Repeat - a bit at a time!
Don't get greedy and go down to the bottom! Only use the top 75% or less.


Good advice, that's what I will do. How long do you think it needs to sit to settle out?

 

[Shannow]

will settle faster if you add a little more water.

 

[Bluestream]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
will settle faster if you add a little more water.


Can you explain that?

 

[Shannow]

when it's wet, the ethanol will be attracted to the water, not the gas, and bomb out faster.

just don't use the fuel too close to the water/ethanol at the bottom.

You can use water to find out how much ehtanol is in gas using this method.

 

[Bluestream]

Does the Ethanol not absorb water up to the point where it is saturated?

 

[Shannow]

ethanol and water are infinitely soluble in each other, and when they combine, the ethanol can't co-solve with the petrol.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
will settle faster if you add a little more water.


I learned this trick from a marina mechanic. A little caution and we were able to get a ton of old fuel out of stored boats that would have been discarded otherwise.